United States of America

Restaurants in Los Angeles

Dining is LA is as exciting and varied as the rest of the city's
offerings. LA's restaurants cater to every cuisine and budget
imaginable, from 12-course feasts with celebrities on the side, to
delicious Mexican burritos from a sidewalk café. Apart from
the wonderful variety of ethnic food, there is a strong emphasis on
organic and health foods and many eateries now cater to this
market. Another distinctive LA trend is eclectic and experimental
food, making this city the proud progenitor of the Thai Chicken
Pizza as well as its own distinctive style of fusion sushi.

Many top restaurants and their celebrity chefs are clustered on
the Westside, while the vintage restaurants are located downtown
and in Hollywood. With its year-round mild climate outdoor dining
is popular, helping to make power lunches the stuff of ritual among
locals.

Tips of 15 to 20% are expected; console yourself with the
thought that your generosity may be funding a future Oscar-winning
script. Smoking is banned in all restaurants and transgressors may
be fined.

$$$$$ | Modern Eclectic

Spago Beverly Hills

Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck wows the rich and famous at his
flagship restaurant that boasts a reputation as one of the finest
in LA. Centred in an outdoor courtyard, the olive tree shaded
tables are the most desirable and the place for celebrity
sightings. Chefs recreate Puck's classic dishes, including his
famous designer pizzas, and Spago classics such as Wolfgang's
Original Veal Weinerschnitzel. Creative desserts add a special
finish to any meal. Jacket and tie suggested, though not required.
Advanced reservations essential. Open for lunch from Monday to
Saturday, and dinner every day.

Valentino Santa Monica

According to the Wine Spectator magazine, this is one of
the top Italian restaurants in the country, boasting a wine cellar
that ranks as number one, complementing the exquisite modern
Italian cuisine. Piero Selvaggio has raked in numerous awards for
his flagship restaurant, attracting an elegant clientele. The menu
tempts guests with delicious options such as grilled veal chops
with garlic and wild mushroom sauce, or honey-spiced pork fillets.
Closed on Sundays, open for dinner the rest of the week and lunch
on Fridays, reservations essential.

Patina

Patina is the flagship restaurant of chef Joaquim Splichal,
whose nouvelle cuisine has long been a favourite with Hollywood
stars. The style is understated elegance, with beautifully
presented food and superior service. There are three five-course,
exquisite seasonal tasting menus including wild game and seafood,
as well as garden dishes for vegetarians. Patina is justifiably
famous for its mashed potatoes and potato-truffle chips, and there
is an outstanding wine list. Reservations essential, closed on
Mondays.

Nobu Matsuhisa

Japanese chef/owner Nobuyuki Matsuhisa creates fantastic dishes
by blending South American spices and salsas with Japanese cuisine,
presenting diners with one of the most creative menus in the city.
Tuna filled with black truffles and capped with caviar, or
sautéed squid in a garlic and soy sauce are examples of the
delicacies available in addition to delicate sushi rolls with
garlic, fresh chilli and special sauces. Matsuhisa is popular with
celebrities and gourmets, reservations are essential. Open all week
for dinner and for lunch Monday to Friday.

Water Grill

Considered by many to be the best seafood house in LA, Water
Grill is always packed with downtown business folk who are joined
in the evening by concert and theatre patrons. It is known
particularly for its fish and shellfish, and boasts a great oyster
bar, as well as a superb wine cellar. Irresistible desserts include
blueberry mascarpone cakes and a mandarin orange creamsicle.
Reservations recommended. Open for dinner daily and for lunch on
Monday to Friday.

Chinois on Main

This is one of LA's most crowded restaurants and also one of the
noisiest, packed with locals, celebrities and visitors who come in
awe of Wolfgang Puck's reputation and leave enchanted by the food.
The style of cuisine is a mixture of different ethnicities,
particularly a fusion of Chinese and French ingredients and
technique. The menu includes signature dishes such as the Whole
Sizzling Catfish, dramatically presented, as well as seasonal
creations that include Shanghai lobster with a spicy ginger-curry
sauce or roasted Cantonese duck. Reservations essential. Dinner
daily and lunch Wednesday to Friday. Jacket and tie suggested.

Border Grill

Border Grill is a trendy, pleasantly raucous and brightly
painted eatery whose atmosphere perfectly complements the vibrant
flavours and bold, colourful foods of Mexico as presented by
celebrity chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger. The menu
features authentic dishes learnt in the homes and markets of Mexico
with an added touch of gourmet ingenuity, and ranges from tamales,
empanadas and tacos to daily ceviche specials and stuffed
tortillas, accompanied by excellent margaritas and fine tequilas.
Lunch and dinner daily, and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

Café Pinot

Overlooking the Maguire Gardens, Café Pinot is ideally
located for a business lunch or pre-theatre dinner (offering a free
shuttle to the Music Centre), with an outdoor terrace shaded by old
olive trees. One of the city's most popular restaurants, it is
modelled after the top-ranked flagship restaurant, Patina but is
designed to be less formal, with lighter bistro-style meals. The
tender mustard-crusted rotisserie chicken is superb, and there is
also fresh fish, pastas and lamb shank to enjoy. Reservations
essential. Lunch Monday to Friday, and dinner daily.

Cicada

This luxurious restaurant is set in an Italian Romanesque-styled
building, constructed in 1928, which still retains its Art Deco
elegance and charm. Its tempting menu offers delicious Italian fare
such as asparagus pizza with bresaola (air-dried, salted beef), or
smoked chicken ravioli with asparagus. The ahi (yellow
fin) tuna with avocado, piquillo peppers and wasabi caviare is also
good. Reservations are essential, closed Tuesdays.

The Ivy

The Ivy is a world-famous Los Angeles restaurant, but not for
its food. Known as the best place to spot Hollywood celebrities and
insiders, the restaurant has fed everyone from Brad Pitt and Tom
Cruise to Paris Hilton and Beyonce. The New York-style food and
cocktails are good, but be prepared for movie star prices.
Reservations are essential, and try to book a table on the
sought-after terrace for the best people-watching.

Beachcomber Cafe

With great views of the sea and pier in summer, and cosy, warm
booths in winter, the Beachcomber Café is a local favourite
on the rapidly regenerating Malibu Pier. The service is friendly
and attentive, and the eclectic fusion menu is strong on seafood
(try the Ahi Tuna burger). Good value wine list, too.

Bouchon Bistro

Famed chef Thomas Keller has brought his Bouchon French bistro
concept to LA. The food is inventive, decadent and delicious, and
the extensive wine list is tempered by a recent offering of
in-house artisanal beers. Reservations recommended.

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